Epigenetic effects, based on a range of chromatin modifications such as DNA methylation and histone acetylation, represent a link between human diet and risk of major chronic diseases (nutriepigenetics). Epigenetic effects associated with plant foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, spices), vitamins and other nutrients, as well as isolated phytochemicals will be discussed, particularly with respect to changes in the activities of enzymes that catalyze the epigenetic chromatin modifications. Experimental assays to assess epigenetic modulation by phytochemicals and standardized plant food extracts, as well as other methods of potential biomedical relevance for analyses of plant components and other dietary factors, will be presented.

Dr. A. Vieira is currently Associate Professor, and Director of the Nutrition and Metabolism Research Laboratory, Biomedical Physiology (BPK) Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada. He has over 90 publications, including research papers in major international journals, with over 1500 citations. Dr. Vieira has served as reviewer and editorial board member for journals related to biomedical research, molecular and cellular biology, as well as for educational and scientific books.